Affordable Housing and Property Values

Originally posted 10/17/06 on PersonPlaceorThing.blogspot.com

I have been looking at research lately about how property values are impacted by affordable housing. A lot of studies have been done in the US and internationally and find that well managed, well built affordable/subsidized housing does not have a negative impact on property values. In the case of Habitat for Humanity, when they build the neighbouring property values often increase.

In a recent conversation with someone involved locally with Habitat for Humanity I was told that their houses have benefited the communities they were built in by inspiring neighbours to renovate and better maintain their homes.

Here are a few places with lists of, and links to, documents regarding this topic: https://www.habitat.org/how/propertyvalues.aspx http://www.hcd.ca.gov/hpd/property_values0805.pdf http://www.realtor.org/libweb.nsf/pages/fg504